In about a month, high school football teams across the state will begin grueling two-a-day practices in preparation for the season ahead, but it may be the last time. By next season, the rules governing that time-honored tradition could change.

AB2127, which has passed legislative muster and awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature, would limit full-contact football practice sessions for high school players to 90 minutes twice a week, prohibit two-a-day practices on consecutive days and automatically sideline a player who has suffered a concussion for a week until he or she is medically cleared to return to action.

Its author, Assemblyman Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova (Sacramento County), said the legislation isn't a cure-all in an inherently violent sport, but in light of what has been learned in recent years about the long-term effects of multiple concussions among NFL players, it offers a set of guidelines that could help parents who are weighing the consequences of allowing their children to play the game.

"I'm not trying to sensationalize the issue of concussions in football, but parents of little boys already have on their minds: 'What if my kid wants to play (football)? What do I do about that?' " Cooley said. "This will establish a clear framework so a parent can know that the program follows guidelines with the players' safety in mind. That's paramount."

'Evolution of science'

"It's the ongoing evolution of science, and we need to do what's in the best interest of student athletes," said Rebecca Brutlag, a spokeswoman for the federation.

But there are already some concerns among Bay Area coaches.

Justin Alumbaugh, head coach of the powerhouse De La Salle High School football team, said in an e-mail that he's forwarded the bill to the team's medical staff and raised questions with the interscholastic federation. He declined further comment until it becomes law.

If the bill is approved without changes, it's going to put players at greater risk because its restrictions would reduce their readiness to play, said Chad Nightingale, the veteran head coach of Salesian High School's football team in Richmond.

"I'd be disappointed if this goes to law," he said.

At Salesian, Nightingale starts football practices in early August, about three weeks before the first day of school and the beginning of the football season. His players go through a week of two-a-day conditioning practices before he allows them to put on helmets and shoulder pads.

Preparation for field

Full-contact drills usually take up 40 to 45 minutes of practice three to four times a week, and 90 minutes is too much on any day, he said.

With the new law, his players would be limited to six full-contact practices before the season begins, and after 19 years as a head coach, Nightingale said he believes that's just not enough, especially for first-time players.

"If a player without experience can only practice twice a week in pads before we toss them on the field, it can't be good for his play or his health," he said.

Nightingale also has questions he'd like answered: Does the full-contact policy extend to athletes who want to attend summer football camps? Does stretching time on full-contact days count against the 90-minute limit?

Whether Cooley's bill becomes law or not, what parents need to be clear about is that football is a full-body contact sport. And despite the development of better equipment, stricter rules and greater regulation designed to make the game safer, it will remain violent.

Risk of injury is as much a part of football as the kickoff or the half-time show. It's in the nature of the game.